Sometimes we place obstacles in our own path. Is that our way of avoiding pending challenges? Challenges condition us—mentally and physically. They give us a chance to tap into the reserve of strength that reveals itself when all other options have been exhausted.

The road to success may have various obstacles, but we can maneuver much faster if we don’t bring our own road blocks.

When my former landlord filed a lawsuit against me, I was not sure if I had the courage to challenge the accusation. Even after I read the claim and discovered it had been fabricated, based on lies, I felt helpless against the rental agency.

According to the lawsuit, it had taken six months for the agency to find a tenant for the unit that I had vacated. Although I moved out six months before my lease expired, I knew my apartment had been rented within two weeks after I moved out. Luckily, I had driven past the complex and noticed that a new tenant was already living in my old apartment. At the time, I had no idea that simple observation would become key evidence in my effort to clear my name, in a court of law. Even though I was flooded with doubts, I knew I had to do everything I could to expose that agency.

Since my main concern was to protect my credit rating, I knew I had to obtain documentation from the new tenant. I prayed that I would be allowed to get a copy of the current lease; it would be the key to my winning the case.

On the day I set out to meet the new tenant and tell my story, I was very nervous. Thankfully, the young woman was quite helpful. Upon hearing my story, she was happy to provide the information I needed. Her lease had been signed just eight days after I moved out. She provided me with a copy of the lease, and a copy of her canceled check.

Next, I created a file which contained everything I needed to win the case. The situation I initially feared, had now become an adventure. I looked forward to my day in court.

Finally, my court date arrived, and I stood before the judge. I calmly told him that I had information in my file to prove that the charge against me was a lie. The rental agency’s representative was speechless. When the judge challenged him to show just cause to continue the case, he could not come up with anything. The judge then turned to me, winked his eye, and said, “Case dismissed.” At that moment, I was flooded with joy, gratitude, and pride; nevertheless, I was glad the ordeal was over. Fortunately, I had found the courage to challenge that lawsuit, but more importantly, I had protected my reputation and my credit standing. I had won the case–and I never had to open my file.

The experience taught me that courage can be summoned up at any given time, but when you are driven to defend your reputation, courage will propel you to victory. My cause for courage not only moved me to action, but it helped me to discover strengths I did not know I possessed.

(This post may be helpful to those of you who may have found yourselves giving in to defeat, even before putting forth your best efforts to fight.)

If you are good at something and you enjoy doing it, make it a part of your daily life. In this land of opportunity many have used crafting skills to open the door to exciting careers. Continue to enhance your crafting skills. Accept requests to teach family members, especially young children. City colleges, libraries, and churches are willing to pay for your skills.

Your sewing, crocheting, and knitting skills, if cultivated properly, can open the door to added income and enjoyment. The next time someone shows interest in learning a craft that you are good at–use that as an opportunity to promote yourself. Let others know what you can do; before long, more opportunities will present themselves.

Who knew? Simple, enjoyable skills offer potential for dynamic careers. I am sure many successful crafters look back in amazement at how far their crafting skills have taken them.

When you read your own work, you meet several different people. You are always amazed to discover that all those people are you–on paper. Write like someone you haven’t met yet; for, that is when your best works come forth.

Over the past five years I made some lifestyle changes that have proven to be beneficial to my health and well-being. For example, I became a vegetarian, started following a regular exercising schedule, and maintained my healthy weight. I feel like I am on a mission of discovery; I continue to find ways to make my simple meals more flavorful, while enjoying the wonderful colors of my food. I am happy I made a commitment to follow a healthy lifestyle, but more importantly, I am glad I have inspired friends and family to switch to healthier diets.

Part of the reason I am able to inspire others who are seeking to adopt healthier eating habits is because I share my excitement about healthy eating. I am not on a mission to convince others to become vegetarians; on the contrary, extraordinary results began to occur before I made the switch to vegetarianism. I don’t view my diet choice as a restriction; I look at it as an exciting opportunity for a better quality of life. It is a journey which keeps on giving me reasons to continue.

A great way to begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle is to connect, directly, with people who have traveled the road you’re seeking. Share their experiences, especially if good results are evident. As those individuals help and motivate you, they get a chance to renew their own commitments. In fact, some may use the connection as a means of rededicating themselves to their original plan. After all, there are times when we fall off course.

No matter where you are in your plan or journey, you can help someone else. Connecting with others opens the door to information and ideas that can be shared. Additionally, you discover ways to add variety, fun, and creativity to diet and exercise routines. That’s how I keep my healthy lifestyle fun and exciting; that’s why I have stuck to the plan.

I wrote a good piece, titled Parenting for a Change. I entered my story in the 79th Annual Writer’s Digest Competition, the Magazine Feature Article category. Unfortunately, I did not win. I received a nice letter, thanking me for entering the competition. Though I was disappointed, I decided that I would enter my article in the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Competition. This time, I received Honorable Mention for my Magazine Feature Article, Parenting for a Change.

My name appeared on The Writer’s Digest Website for being in the 11th – 100th place in my category. Even though I am working on other writing projects, I will continue my efforts to get my article printed in a major magazine.

I will continue to write–until something else happens.

(The Parenting for a Change link : http://thegdrblog.com/family/parenting-change-3/)

Many adults engage in a form of bullying; they bring it to places that are meant to be positive and uplifting. The type of bullying I’m referring to is gossiping.

They could be using that time to express appreciation for their many blessings, and to uplift each other. If less time was spent dwelling on what is wrong with others, there would be time to see and to address the issues that are causing their own negative and destructive attitudes. Unfortunately, their negative behavior may be the cause of destructive patterns in their children’s behavior.

Children that become bullies are mimicking behavior they’ve seen among family members. (Their role models)

When adults start setting better examples for young children, we will see a positive change in the attitudes and behavior of our youth.

Let’s stop the bullying by becoming positive role models.

Parents, please do everything in your power to build your children up so that they are less likely to try to tear other children down.

Many challenges in our lives have proven to be bigger than we may have envisioned them to be. The challenges that we encounter do not always reveal the rewards at the onset, so we become fearful. I am sure that if the prize was immediately known, we would move forward, fearlessly.

Sometimes we take on challenges that are outside of our strength capacity. I believe we do this because we instinctively know that there is a reserve of strength, which many may have tapped into before. When winning was the only option we would accept, we went as far as we could, then a little more. Trust that the reserve of strength and determination is ever present to support us in all aspects of our lives. Learn to challenge it–that’s how winners develop a winning spirit.

A sure way to reveal the winner in you is to chase fears away; the best way to do that is to start celebrating your victory in the mist of doubtful thoughts. Once your fears and doubts have been dispelled, the path is free and clear of obstacles; now you can move ahead to victory.

Sometimes we place obstacles in our own path. Is that our way of avoiding pending challenges? Challenges condition us—mentally and physically. They give us a chance to tap into the reserve of strength that reveals itself when all other options have been exhausted.

The road to success may have various obstacles, but we can maneuver much faster if we don’t bring our own road blocks.

Grace is defined as: (Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor of God.

Through grace, we are allowed to change the course of a destructive life-style. Because of grace, we are recycled and allowed to reestablish ourselves.

I, personally, know that grace is not just a random act; on the contrary, it is a timely wake-up call. It is the reality that shook me at the time when I needed it most. Through grace, I was given a new mind-set, a new sense of purpose, and an illuminated path to follow. Thankfully, that new path led me to a better quality of life, and it gave me an opportunity to help improve the quality of life for others. Through grace, I was directed to the path that I previous refused to seek. Were it not for grace, I would still be leading a non-productive life. Grace gave me a chance to mend and to heal so that I could appreciate my blessings.

According to the dictionary meaning, grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. Our chance to earn that favor comes after it is given.

ll Corinthians 12:9And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.